Book-clamp



(No Model.)

- J. N. WILSON.

BOOK CLAMP.

Patented May 8, 1883.

l My f l imam 6c /H:W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN NATHANIEL'WILSON, 0F OABTHAGE, MISSOURI.

BOOK-CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 277,096, dated May 8,1883,

' Application filed February 23, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JoHN- N. WILSON, o

' The drawing represents a perspective viewof the device. 7

This invention relates to a clamp to be used for holding one side of an opened book, or for holding papers, 850.

The invention consists in the construction hereinafter set forth. 1

In the annexed drawing, the letter A designates a base, made flat at the bottom and broad, from which rises the standard B. Arranged on this standard are the jaws O D, one of which, D, may be secured thereto; but preferably they both slide on the standard, as shown. The standard is angular in crosssection, and the slots in the ends of the jaws similar, so as to fit the standard, and also to bind them whenever pressure is applied to their free ends. The jaw G consists of a stem, E, and a clamping-lever F. The jaw D is made with a plate, d, at its free end, and, as shown, the free end 0 of stem E is furcated, and between the chucks c c is pivoted the clamping-lever F. This clamping-lever F has a straight portion, 6, and a downwardlycurved end, 6, having a plate, 6 like plate d on jaw D. The length of the jaws is such that when the clamp is aligned with the .jaw

O the plates 6 and dare in the same verticalliue. The inner end of the clamping-lever F is furcated, and carries a locking-lever, G, having a handle, g, and the eccentric or cam g, the latter at the furcated end of lever F. The stem E, the clamping-lever F, and locking-leverGare in the same vertical plane,

and form in themselves the elements of the upper jaw and workindependently of the lower aw. In use the clamp is placed on a table or desk resting on its base A. Thejaw D is adjusted to the proper height, and the side of the open book is placed on the plate (1, the pressure holding thejaw at its proper place. The other jaw, (J, is moved down until the plate e rests on the book, the locking-lever being turned down and the clampinglever in line with the stem. The locking-lever is then turned up, bringing the clamping-lever on an angle with the stem, the eccentric bearing on top of the latter and binding the plate 6 upon the book. In this construction it will be seen that the eccentric bears against the stem E, the latter being shaped so as to be adapted to the eccentric. As the lever Gr bears down on the stem it forces the plate a down, which causes the rear end of the jaw O to bind against the standard, so that by the lockinglever bearin g against the stem, and therefore not disturbing its function, the force which the said lever exerts not only forces the plate e -down, but reacts to bind the jaw on the standard, and therefore hold it tight. This action of the locking-lever G clamps the book securely. between the two plates 6 and d, and the resistance tending to separate the two plates acts to operate the jaws aslevers, and binds their other ends against the standards, holding the jaws in place.

Instead of one side of a book, a number of loose papers can be clamped, so that the device can be advantageously used as a paper- .filer as well as a book-clamp.

I am aware that a book-clamp having a standard with two jaws, one of which carries a screw-clamp, has been devised, and also that an eccentric locking-lever has been used with a clamping-lever in clamping devices, and I lay no claim to any such construction.

What I claim is- In a book-clamp or paper-file, the combination of the base A, standard B, and lower 5 jaw, D, with the upperjaw, O, the latter consisting of a stern, E, a clamping-lever, F, pivoted to the end of the stem, and a locking- In testimony that I claim the foreging as my own invention I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN N. WILSON. 

